Cooking utensil with means of resting on pot, pan, skillet or otherwise

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a cooking utensil with protrusions from its handle. While cooking, the utensils protrusions allow it to be rested on a pot or pan in order to prevent sauces and oils from dripping on stovetops, spoon rests, or other unwanted surfaces. Also since the utensil is held on the pot, bacteria and viruses cannot contaminate the utensil or food as easily. This invention also lends itself towards being quickly and easily placed and removed from its resting spot on the container, as well as minimizing workspace clutter by aligning its own handle with the handle of the container. This invention also has the means to be secure in its resting spot, which prevents it from falling into or to the side of the cooking container. Furthermore the invention can be easily manufactured by making small changes to the mold cavities and/or metal stamps currently used for utensil production.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the Provisional Patent Application US60/813,044 filed Jun. 14, 2006 by Brandon Shaw (present inventor), which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooking utensil with a means of securing the utensil on a cooking container. When cooking with a conventional utensil it is placed to the side of the pot or pan where it typically spreads the food being prepared onto the surroundings of the container, making a mess on stovetops and/or spoon rests. Clearly a better method for holding cooking utensils is needed.

Some previous inventions, such as the patents listed in references 1, 2, and 3 include a 3^(rd) mechanism that allows a spoon to be attached to the cooking container. Having a third, smaller mechanism as is described in these other patents, lends itself towards being easily misplaced. With regard to references 1 and 3, the spoon or other utensil protrudes from the side of the cooking container, which creates more obstruction in the work area. With regards to reference 2, the 3^(rd) device used to secure the utensil must be customized for a specific cooking container and cooking utensil.

Reference 4 describes a mechanism attached to a cooking container handle that pivots outward and supports the utensil. Again, the device creates additional workspace clutter, furthermore it does not secure the cooking utensil from rotating about the axis of the utensils handle, and therefore possibly rotating and coming/remaining in contact with the heated bottom surface of the cooking container, which may either injure the user or damage the utensil.

References Cited

-   1) U.S. Pat. No. 1,483,833 POTTER Feb. 8, 1923 SANITARY SPOON AND     LADLE HOLDER -   2) U.S. Pat. No. 1,464,731 SMITH Mar. 26, 1921 SPOON HOLDER -   3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,211 GASKILL May 21, 1996 UTENSIL HOLDER FOR     CONTAINERS -   4) U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,570 HYUN Feb. 10, 1998 COOKING APPLIANCE     HANDLE

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking utensil, having additional supporting members that allow secure placement onto most cooking containers (such as pots or pans), to keep stovetops and spoon rests cleaner as well as keep bacteria and other contaminants on countertops from contacting cooking utensil.

The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the presented descriptions and the appended claims, taken conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the utensil handle (claim 1) without cooking implement.

FIG. 2—a top view of utensil handle.

FIG. 3—a side view of utensil handle.

FIG. 4—a rear view of utensil handle.

FIG. 5—an isometric view of utensil handle on container, with preferred embodiment of the front protrusion(s) (claim 2) receiving container rim, and the preferred embodiment of the rear protrusion(s) (claim 3) receiving container handle.

FIG. 6—a side view of the utensil on a container, with front protrusion(s) (claim 2) receiving container rim, and rear protrusion(s) (claim 3) receiving container handle.

FIG. 7—An isometric view of an alternative embodiment of claim 1, shown with a slotted turner as the cooking implement, and shown in position on a cooking container.

FIG. 8—an isometric view of the alternative embodiment described in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9—a rear view of the alternative embodiment described in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, item 11 is the preferred embodiment of the handle described in claim 1 without a cooking implement. With reference to FIG. 7, item 11 a is an alternative embodiment with a slotted turner shown as the cooking implement. With reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 7, item 12 is preferred embodiment of protrusion described in claim 2, which is capable of receiving a container rim. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, item 13 is the preferred embodiment of protrusions from handle, which receives container handle as described in claim 3, in this embodiment, the protrusions take the form of rear tabs that accommodate the container handle. With reference to FIG. 1, item 14 is position of any possible cooking implement, which could include but is not limited to a cooking spoon, slotted spoon, turner, slotted turner, spaghetti spoon, turning fork, or ladle. With reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, item 15 is an example of a cooking container with rim and handle, such as a pot or pan. With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, item 16 is an alternative embodiment of the protrusion described in claim 3. In this embodiment, a curved handle creates outer protrusions that serve the same purpose in locating and holding the utensil on the container handle. The front tabs in this possible embodiment are similar to those shown in the first embodiment.

Accordingly, with the embodiments shown in the figures, the cooking implement that engages the food is held suspended above the container, as such there is no need to worry that substance from the cooking utensil (such as cooking oils or sauces) shall drip onto the surroundings of the container.

FIG. 1 shows the utensil (11) that consists of a cooking implement (14) and front and rear protrusions (12 and 13 respectively). In the preferred embodiment shown, the utensil (11) has two U shaped tabs (12) that protrude near the front of the utensil and secure the utensil around the rim of the cooking container. The front tabs described above are shaped as an upside down V or U in order to provide a slot for the container rim to receive. Also in the preferred embodiment shown, are two rear tabs (13) that align the handle of the utensil to the handle of the container, and secure the utensil from moving side to side when in the rested position. The rear tabs (13) are simple angled protrusions which help guide the utensil handle onto the container handle during placement, and help secure it while resting.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the item described in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the item described in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the item described in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows the utensil (11) resting on a cooking container (15). When the utensil (11) is placed on the container (15), the tabs (12, 13) secure the utensil (11) to the rim of the container (15), holding the implement (14) over the interior of the cooking container (15), ensuring that food material on the cooking implement (14) falls into the interior of the cooking container (15), rather than on the stovetop or other surfaces.

The alternative embodiment in FIG. 7 accomplishes the same functionality, but rather than having a set of rear tabs, the protrusions described in claim 3 take the form of a curved handle (16). With this embodiment, starting in the middle of the handle and traveling away from the cooking implement, the handle tapers to become narrower and less curved, which makes a clear protrusion (16) midway on the handle that can locate and hold the utensil on a range of cooking container handles. The handle embodiment is shown with detail in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the utensil handle and FIG. 9 is a rear view that shows the curvature of the handle that creates the protrusion. 

1. A utensil comprising a cooking implement and a handle, said handle having means for securing said utensil to a container having a rim and a handle.
 2. The utensil of claim 1, wherein said means comprise one or more protrusions from said utensil handle which receive and hold said container rim.
 3. The utensil of claim 2, further comprising one or more protrusions from said utensil handle, which receive and hold said container handle. 